6 That old story of the dilatoriness of the country members, even in the face of the most pressing necessities and of the most urgent calls, certainly confirm the reports that the great body of the Colonists, especially that of the country-people was lukewarm and indifferent, if they were not positively unfriendly, to the Rebellion. If the leaders among the disaffected, and surely no others were sent to the Provincial Congress, were as tardy, in their attendance, even when the most urgent appeals for their attendance were sent, as these were, in the preceding December and in May, 1776, how much more indifferent must those have been, who had other and legitimate demands on their time and attention, and by whom an office was neither looked for nor desired.

7 Journal of the Provincial Congress, " Die Mercurii, 4 ho., P.M., May "8th, 1776."

$ Journal of tite Provincial Congress, " Die Lunse, 3 ho., P.M., May 13, "1776."

There is no record of a formal adjournment ; and it looks very much as if the end of this Congress was like its beginning, without arquorum.

The Committee of Safety to General Schuyler, " In Committee of "Safety, New York, 17th Jany., 1776," and General Schuyler's reply, " Albany, January 26, 1776 ;" Journal of the Committee of Safety, " 4 ho., "P.M., Feb. 10, 1776 ;" etc.

10 The action of the Continental Congress of 1774, concerning the Commerce of the Colonies, may be Been in the Association which it " recom- " mended."